Pack it up; Somalia is Finished

[Phinks]

Somalia will never head in the right direction if all these foreign adversaries remain in our midst. Old article but still relevant:

"In the moral version of human history – expressed in the Quran, Bible, and Torah – corruption is considered the worst reckless impulse that caused men to fall from grace. It was the betrayal of trust and loyalty for purely selfish gains.

From that perspective, the root cause of corruption is individual moral shutdown, derailment or deficiency. On the other hand, modern-day scrutiny of corruption zooms in on institutions and good governance – professional and technocratic excellence and adherence to policies and procedures.

Much of this article will be dealing with the latter perspective, though no lasting solution to corruption can be found without considering the individual aspect. This could be the reason why corruption is scandalously ever-present in every aspect of the Somali government.

Harmonized Contradictions

Ironically, if a “Corruption Hall of Shame” were inaugurated, the majority of the top 10 list would be Muslim rulers representing nations ranking high in natural resources. Somalia would be leading the list as it has the past decade. This is the direct result of a culture of impunity and a lack of anti-corruption teachings.

However, you would not have heard this from the former UN Secretary General’s Special Representative for Somalia Michael Keating. In his briefing to the Security Council last month, he said that Somalia has “a government with a compelling reform agenda anchored in strong partnership between President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo and Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khayre.” He continued by telling the Council members that “its centerpiece is to make the country creditworthy and accountable as a step to gain full sovereignty, reduce dependency and attract both public and private investments. IMF benchmarks are being met … and debt relief is closer.”

Well, of course. Somalia’s politicians are ready for more loans and dodgy deals such as Soma Oil and Gas, whose former Executive Director for Africa is the country’s current prime minister. Never mind the glaring conflict of interests.

Being instituted a few months after Somalia emerged out of its “transitional period” in 2012, the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) was established as a central bank of the donor funds and to facilitate the reconciliation process. However, UNSOM gradually morphed into the carrot-dangler that lures all across the political spectrum, the gatekeeper of the political process, and the legitimizer of any selected new government through corruption as long as it does not challenge certain dubious deals such as Soma Oil and Gas and the massive IMF and World Bank debts.

Incidentally, the United Kingdom is Somalia’s penholder at the Security Council. In other words, the U.K. has the most powerful role in all Somalia related issues. It has the exclusive authority to draft resolutions and frame any debate on the country. All three UNSOM leaders were British (guerilla) diplomats, though the latest has South African citizenship.

If I was not blunt enough in the past, let me try again. The international apparatus that was set up to “fix Somalia” is the main hoax for keeping it perpetually broken. As long as there are corrupt or pitifully credulous Somali politicians who are eager to legitimize the current system for their personal gains the schizophrenia –journey toward sovereignty– will continue but the nation will remain at the mercy of international and local predators.

On Scale

In a 2013 article titled The Corruption Tango I wrote: “While robust functioning of all governmental institutions and policies of checks and balances are crucial to fighting corruption, the most crucial is the branch that enforces such policies.” Five years later, there is not an iota of improvement towards that end. The courts remain scandalously corrupt. Cash, clan, and connections are still the three most popular currencies in Somalia. Yet the current government audaciously claims it is committed to ending corruption.

Can a government that came to power through a manifestly corrupt process of purchasing votes through dark money “eradicate that sick mentality,” as Prime Minster Khayre said in 2017? Of course not, but it can manage perceptions and put on a good show for public relations.


Somalia and the Houdinis of Corruption

Selective Enforcement and Co-option

Unlike its predecessor, the current government has a clever plan for distraction. They routinely carry out public prosecutions of petty corruption cases with media fanfare and public trumpet blasts while turning a blind eye to various shady deals that involve top officials within the government.

A few mega “corporations” practically own the entire country. Over the past two decades, these companies, especially those in the telecommunication business who are granted exclusive right to use the official gateway and country code without paying licensing fees or taxes, have been investing in keeping business as usual. It is an open secret how these mega companies co-opt key political actors by bringing them on board as stakeholders or through kickbacks to ensure their silence. Meanwhile, the old lady selling tomatoes under the scorching sun is routinely harassed by the municipality to pay her “public service” dues.

This widely accepted, flagrantly unjust clan-based system, known as the 4.5 system, remains the most potent force that maintains the culture of corruption and impunity in Somalia. Certain clans are guaranteed high ministerial positions. Once inside, these ministers are expected to suck as much as they can for their respective clans, themselves or both. Nepotism continues to be the most common practice in all branches of the government.

Defusing Scrutiny

Like the previous governments, the current administration facilitates key Members of Parliament and their family members with foreign medical services, scholarships for their children, and armored vehicles for protection.

Certain elements within the international community not only tolerate this corruption but also cultivate the right environment for it. Selected Somalian ministers may be granted easy access to funds for this or that project, or may be invited to some of those never-ending conferences in foreign cities. In return, these key individuals give those in the international community priceless cover, a patronage system, and a code of silence that sustains a two-way system of corruption.

Most of the Somalian ministers are members of the parliament, and the government is aggressively using whatever is in its disposal to co-opt the parliament. Only days after President Farmajo returned from his Qatar state visit in May, his office or the executive branch offered the Somali parliamentarians a deal none of them could refuse: an early vacation or

Somalia and the Houdinis of Corruption
recess and $5,000 cash per MP – so much for checks and balances.

These actions are to neutralize a restless parliament bent on advancing a “no confidence” motion to oust the current prime minister, whose long affiliation with the predatory Soma Oil and Gas and his draconian policies to silence opposition groups reached a breaking point."

Notice the highlight bold? Britain - the very same union that's intent on Somalia not receiving arms under the guise of instability (unlike Iraq, Afghanistan etc.) is our penholder, imagine China being responsible for overseeing a transitional government in the U.S, this is the insanity we're dealing with, a country that's more focused on theatrics (elections, 'war' on Al-Shabab, qabiliyad) instead of development and infrastructure.

[nine]

Somalia should be given to Kashmiris, Rohinya, Uyghurs and Palestinians. They would do a better job than this xoolo nation.

[Phinks]

I would say it's tragic, but tragic is something unfortunate that occurs, this is a laughing clown show. Have you noticed there has been no objectionable policy administered by this government since it's inception? No foreign policy, no regional standing, no sovereignty, every defence agreement or economic program signed is forwarded by foreigners, everything is reactionary with these Zoos. Forget the region or nation, this sham government can't even control it's own capital, how anyone can take this ongoing charade seriously is beyond me.

[BigBreak]

This is why I laugh when OP says Somaliland will never be a recognised independent country caqli dhabyaco wakaas......Zoomalia will never recover whilst SL is denied recognition by the international community (who runs the AMISOM trusteeship)

[mahoka]

This is why I laugh when OP says Somaliland will never be a recognised independent country caqli dhabyaco wakaas......Zoomalia will never recover whilst SL is denied recognition by the international community (who runs the AMISOM trusteeship)

Why did you bring up Somaliland in a thread about Somalia?

This sheegato cunt is always bringing up Somaliland everywhere.

f-king fatherless garac



You must be either a boon or a dhulo, you hate punaniland and madoobeland but always got good things to say about boons and qurjile.

You are not hj, you are not a lander.

[ReturnOfMariixmaan]

Phinks,

Sadly you’re right brother. Naivety leads one to think they can change things when they can’t.

[paperino]

I would say it's tragic, but tragic is something unfortunate that occurs, this is a laughing clown show. Have you noticed there has been no objectionable policy administered by this government since it's inception? No foreign policy, no regional standing, no sovereignty, every defence agreement or economic program signed is forwarded by foreigners, everything is reactionary with these Zoos. Forget the region or nation, this sham government can't even control it's own capital, how anyone can take this ongoing charade seriously is beyond me.

Since the start of the civil war, no single force had effective control over the capital. It took years/decades for the capital to get out of control. During that time, unsavory (criminal, warlord, etc) elements become entrenched and still continue to exert some control/influence. It would take time (years/decades) to undo that. You can bring down a multi-storey building with a few kgs of explosives, but rebuilding it would take many years & a lot of resources, and it's more difficult & costlier than building such a multi-storey building from scratch.

[grandpakhalif]

Have hope and be optimistic, we as a nation are facing our civil war moment and every nation had to go through periods of tumultous turmoil. It was only a couple centuries ago when Germany and Italy were warring city states facing famine and strife battling each other for resources. Nations take centuries to form and I think we are being a little naive that a nation built from warring tribes shall unite so easily.

for sure we are being exploited by the world elite and it is of our own doing as long as corruption and tribal grievances exist so too shall the symptoms of their reign

[Phinks]

Break: Let me make this simple for you, because landers lack foresight and common sense.

Keep Somalia out of the game of geopolitics and nation building by tactically supporting Al-Shabab and citing 'security concerns' for justification of an arms embargo. Somaliland will never gain Independance because the world doesn't want to see two Zoos serving at the UN, you're all worthless skinnies to them, if only you nacas Idoors understood this.

Mariix: Lets be real here sxb, Al-Shabab is a Hawiye problem. Did you know that today Puntland smoked some just to find out they were from the South? Again and again this is a constant occurrence, in Puntland and Somaliland Al-Shabab cannot breathe, they hide in mountains or some backwater villages. Yet they thrive in Hawiye territory, there is NO reason for AS to be in Galmudug, Sacad/Ceyr are fighters and heavily armed, and yet look how they're in control over entire districts, sometimes I wish Aideed was back, even if he was flawed he would've crushed these vermin scum, Hawiye or not.

Paper: Why not address the issue at hand? Why does Al-Shabab thrive in the South but cannot so much as move in the night in the North? Hawiye are more than capable of taking them out, but they don't want to seeing as their own family clans are involved in their operations, even if one is captured, he is freed thanks to family ties, we have to call this out, Al-shabab is a CLAN POLITICAL entity, they just fool their conscripts into thinking this is a jihad.

Grandpa: If Jubaland comes to a understanding with all the clans, I have no doubt in my mind Al-Shabab will be routed in due time. Puntland and Somaliland crushed their Islamist movements, we control our lands, Hawiye are more than capable of setting these takfiri bastards on fire, they just don't want to.

They don't even feel shame they're occupied by foreigners, why can't they understand if they don't get it together, these ajnabi will never leave? Because Hawiye are complicit with western NGOs, corrupt think tanks and intelligence agencies. They lack morals and have a disregard for civility and their people, dadkaan waan ka yaabey.

[juelz]

Somali as an identity is in crisis and has always been loosely held by some members of our society. You can see it here on somalinet , most members fight for their clan and clan identity. Have you ever seen anyone talk about somalinimo. Had we been United like the Tigray we could have conquered all of Africa by now.

[grandpakhalif]

Break: Let me make this simple for you, because landers lack foresight and common sense.

Keep Somalia out of the game of geopolitics and nation building by tactically supporting Al-Shabab and citing 'security concerns' for justification of an arms embargo. Somaliland will never gain Independance because the world doesn't want to see two Zoos serving at the UN, you're all worthless skinnies to them, if only you nacas Idoors understood this.

Mariix: Lets be real here sxb, Al-Shabab is a Hawiye problem. Did you know that today Puntland smoked some just to find out they were from the South? Again and again this is a constant occurrence, in Puntland and Somaliland Al-Shabab cannot breathe, they hide in mountains or some backwater villages. Yet they thrive in Hawiye territory, there is NO reason for AS to be in Galmudug, Sacad/Ceyr are fighters and heavily armed, and yet look how they're in control over entire districts, sometimes I wish Aideed was back, even if he was flawed he would've crushed these vermin scum, Hawiye or not.

Paper: Why not address the issue at hand? Why does Al-Shabab thrive in the South but cannot so much as move in the night in the North? Hawiye are more than capable of taking them out, but they don't want to seeing as their own family clans are involved in their operations, even if one is captured, he is freed thanks to family ties, we have to call this out, Al-shabab is a CLAN POLITICAL entity, they just fool their conscripts into thinking this is a jihad.

Grandpa: If Jubaland comes to a understanding with all the clans, I have no doubt in my mind Al-Shabab will be routed in due time. Puntland and Somaliland crushed their Islamist movements, we control our lands, Hawiye are more than capable of setting these takfiri bastards on fire, they just don't want to.

They don't even feel shame they're occupied by foreigners, why can't they understand if they don't get it together, these ajnabi will never leave? Because Hawiye are complicit with western NGOs, corrupt think tanks and intelligence agencies. They lack morals and have a disregard for civility and their people, dadkaan waan ka yaabey.

AS is not solely a “Hawiye” problem but a lack of justice problem. You see the reason PL is thriving because their one superior clan that has overwhelming power, same with SL. Koonfuur is much more complex and oppressed groups which actually arent a minority at all receive no rights in their respective governments. Federalim shall continue to fail in the south due its cosmopolotian nature where no clan can take overwhelming force.

You think Madoobe would be couped up in Kismayo if OG and Harti actually inhabit the land purely? No! As long as clans like Sheeqaal, Gaaljecel, RX, Garre, Tunni and Jareerweyn feel oppressed expect AS to go nowhere, they thrive off these clan grievances hell even MX dont want Madoobe there so he will never gain an inch.

JL needs an all inclusive govt. Same with Hiirshabelle and Galmudug

[ReturnOfMariixmaan]

Break: Let me make this simple for you, because landers lack foresight and common sense.

Keep Somalia out of the game of geopolitics and nation building by tactically supporting Al-Shabab and citing 'security concerns' for justification of an arms embargo. Somaliland will never gain Independance because the world doesn't want to see two Zoos serving at the UN, you're all worthless skinnies to them, if only you nacas Idoors understood this.

Mariix: Lets be real here sxb, Al-Shabab is a Hawiye problem. Did you know that today Puntland smoked some just to find out they were from the South? Again and again this is a constant occurrence, in Puntland and Somaliland Al-Shabab cannot breathe, they hide in mountains or some backwater villages. Yet they thrive in Hawiye territory, there is NO reason for AS to be in Galmudug, Sacad/Ceyr are fighters and heavily armed, and yet look how they're in control over entire districts, sometimes I wish Aideed was back, even if he was flawed he would've crushed these vermin scum, Hawiye or not.

Paper: Why not address the issue at hand? Why does Al-Shabab thrive in the South but cannot so much as move in the night in the North? Hawiye are more than capable of taking them out, but they don't want to seeing as their own family clans are involved in their operations, even if one is captured, he is freed thanks to family ties, we have to call this out, Al-shabab is a CLAN POLITICAL entity, they just fool their conscripts into thinking this is a jihad.

Grandpa: If Jubaland comes to a understanding with all the clans, I have no doubt in my mind Al-Shabab will be routed in due time. Puntland and Somaliland crushed their Islamist movements, we control our lands, Hawiye are more than capable of setting these takfiri bastards on fire, they just don't want to.

They don't even feel shame they're occupied by foreigners, why can't they understand if they don't get it together, these ajnabi will never leave? Because Hawiye are complicit with western NGOs, corrupt think tanks and intelligence agencies. They lack morals and have a disregard for civility and their people, dadkaan waan ka yaabey.

AS is not solely a “Hawiye” problem but a lack of justice problem. You see the reason PL is thriving because their one superior clan that has overwhelming power, same with SL. Koonfuur is much more complex and oppressed groups which actually arent a minority at all receive no rights in their respective governments. Federalim shall continue to fail in the south due its cosmopolotian nature where no clan can take overwhelming force.

You think Madoobe would be couped up in Kismayo if OG and Harti actually inhabit the land purely? No! As long as clans like Sheeqaal, Gaaljecel, RX, Garre, Tunni and Jareerweyn feel oppressed expect AS to go nowhere, they thrive off these clan grievances hell even MX dont want Madoobe there so he will never gain an inch.

JL needs an all inclusive govt. Same with Hiirshabelle and Galmudug

Bravo bro

[ReturnOfMariixmaan]

Mariix: Lets be real here sxb, Al-Shabab is a Hawiye problem. Did you know that today Puntland smoked some just to find out they were from the South? Again and again this is a constant occurrence, in Puntland and Somaliland Al-Shabab cannot breathe, they hide in mountains or some backwater villages. Yet they thrive in Hawiye territory, there is NO reason for AS to be in Galmudug, Sacad/Ceyr are fighters and heavily armed, and yet look how they're in control over entire districts, sometimes I wish Aideed was back, even if he was flawed he would've crushed these vermin scum, Hawiye or not.

Phinks,

I’m under no delusions that Al Shabaab is a very potent and real threat. Hence, my region drove them out of Gedo in 2011 by themselves. I’m big on counterterrorism and strong military for the simple fact you need to order for law to work. But as Grandpa said, Al Shabaab hosts grievances and resentment from lack of representative voice from underrepresented clans in the 4.5. framework. So the jihadists in their twisted way, give them better justice services than the weak fragile government! It’s far more complex than just a law enforcement operation. It needs to be studied as a societal problem as well. And I wouldn’t blame just Hawiye. We’re complacent in the shithole we call our homeland.

[barbarossa]

Break: Let me make this simple for you, because landers lack foresight and common sense.

Keep Somalia out of the game of geopolitics and nation building by tactically supporting Al-Shabab and citing 'security concerns' for justification of an arms embargo. Somaliland will never gain Independance because the world doesn't want to see two Zoos serving at the UN, you're all worthless skinnies to them, if only you nacas Idoors understood this.

Mariix: Lets be real here sxb, Al-Shabab is a Hawiye problem. Did you know that today Puntland smoked some just to find out they were from the South? Again and again this is a constant occurrence, in Puntland and Somaliland Al-Shabab cannot breathe, they hide in mountains or some backwater villages. Yet they thrive in Hawiye territory, there is NO reason for AS to be in Galmudug, Sacad/Ceyr are fighters and heavily armed, and yet look how they're in control over entire districts, sometimes I wish Aideed was back, even if he was flawed he would've crushed these vermin scum, Hawiye or not.

Paper: Why not address the issue at hand? Why does Al-Shabab thrive in the South but cannot so much as move in the night in the North? Hawiye are more than capable of taking them out, but they don't want to seeing as their own family clans are involved in their operations, even if one is captured, he is freed thanks to family ties, we have to call this out, Al-shabab is a CLAN POLITICAL entity, they just fool their conscripts into thinking this is a jihad.

Grandpa: If Jubaland comes to a understanding with all the clans, I have no doubt in my mind Al-Shabab will be routed in due time. Puntland and Somaliland crushed their Islamist movements, we control our lands, Hawiye are more than capable of setting these takfiri bastards on fire, they just don't want to.

They don't even feel shame they're occupied by foreigners, why can't they understand if they don't get it together, these ajnabi will never leave? Because Hawiye are complicit with western NGOs, corrupt think tanks and intelligence agencies. They lack morals and have a disregard for civility and their people, dadkaan waan ka yaabey.

Your outlandish assertion that Hawiya alone is to be blamed for Alsheytaan wreaking havok in Somalia, is utter hog wash and has no basis in reality.

[Phinks]

Juelz, I'm all for being proud of your clan and repping it, but supporting and enlisting the help of terrorists to further your clan agenda is evil, enough said.

Grandpa and Mariixman, you're both mistaken. The idea that Al-Shabab base of operations in the South is due to clan diversity is a myth. Hawiye DOMINATE the South, there is no clan that can stand up to them whether militarily or projection of numbers. RX? They're confined in SWS, Dir? Cadcad? Laughable, if anything they have been complaining about their mistreatment from Hawiye for decades. Abgaal, HG, Murursade and Xawaadle call the shots in the South, this is indisputable.

Let's face the truth, Hawiye are a corrupt people. They lack agency, isbaaro mentality is naturally woven into their psyche. An uncle who feels that his business interests are being threatened will kill his own nephew and send an Al-Shabab assassin to finish the job. The elite Hawiye are living it up in gated neighbourhoods while their people languish in IDP camps on the outskirts of Xamar. Waa dad dhaqan ka damaathe, they're spiritually and morally DEAD.

It's like a domino effect, once Haiwye control their own people and put a stop to this, the rest of the clans will fall into line. That corruption and mistreatment you speak of is the fault of Hawiye, so again, the source of the problem lies with them. The reason why MJ has a handle on Al-Shabab is because we don't TOLERATE them, even if he is our own reer he will be shot just like the others, do I have to remind you both how these Hawiye reacted when their clansmen were set to be executed by PL authorities? They responded that any Hawiye AS member killed will be retaliated by killing an innocent MJ, these are the people we're supposed to be building a nation with?

Al-shabab is NOTHING in Puntland, Jubaland and Galbeed, and if they do manage to gain a foothold, they're living on borrowed time. Why? Because ilmo Darood do not tolerate these takfirists, we send them packing.